Queen Maxima vows UN's support for Ethiopia's digitalization efforts

Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-15 21:12:06|Editor: xuxin

Video PlayerClose

ADDIS ABABA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who is also the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, on Wednesday vowed the UN's continued support to the Ethiopian government's efforts towards digitalization.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology, in a statement issued Wednesday, said that Maxima, during her meeting with Ethiopia's Minister of Innovation and Technology Getahun Mekuria, reiterated the UN's readiness to provide technical, knowledge, as well as advisory support.

The queen, who is currently in Ethiopia as part of a three-day visit that aimed to promote access to financial services in the East African country, envisaged to promote digital applications in Ethiopia's financial services, as well as the development of digital national identification (ID) system.

Mekuria, during his discussion with Maxima who was accompanied by World Bank and the Gates Foundation representatives, highlighted Ethiopia's efforts in pushing for a digital financial system, digital ID, as well as the privatization of the telecom sector.

Maxima, expressing her concern regarding internet speed and information security, also urged the Ethiopian government to give particular emphasis to rural communities.

The Netherlands queen has been the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development since 2009.